Terrorism financing: EFCC to arraign Bodejo over cash transactions, money laundering

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to arraign Bello Abdullahi Bodejo before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged terrorism financing and money laundering offences involving $2.530 million.

The anti-graft agency filed a 12-count charge against Bodejo on June 22, 2026, accusing him of receiving and possessing large sums of foreign currency allegedly linked to proceeds of unlawful activities, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act.

Bodejo, who according to the EFCC statement is linked to Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, is expected to take his plea before the court as the EFCC begins formal prosecution.

The commission alleged that Bodejo received several cash payments in United States dollars from Sa’idu Abubakar, a former Accountant-General of Bauchi State, who is currently in the custody of the Nigerian Police Force.

In one of the counts, the EFCC alleged that Bodejo on January 11, 2022, in Abuja, accepted $100,000 in physical cash without routing the transaction through a financial institution as required by law.

Another count alleged that he received an additional $200,000 in cash on January 21, 2022, from the same source, an amount the commission said exceeded the statutory cash transaction threshold.

The EFCC further alleged that on February 7, 2024, Bodejo accepted $980,000 in physical currency, while another count accused him of taking possession of the same amount under circumstances where he allegedly knew or ought to have known that the funds were proceeds of unlawful activity.

The commission also alleged that he received $500,000 in cash on March 20, 2024, in breach of provisions of the Money Laundering Act.

According to the EFCC, the alleged offences contravene various sections of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended), and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Further proceedings are expected following the assignment of an arraignment date by the court.